"Will Do Our Best to Represent Residents and Realize Grassroots Lifestyle Politics in the Assembly"

[Interview with Jeon Seung-il, Chairman of the 9th Gwangju Seo-gu Council Second Half]

Unanimous Election After 10 Years... Unusual Evaluation of the Controversial Seo-gu Council

Expectations for the Council's Role in 'Check, Monitor, and Embrace' Through Cooperation Among Council Members

The Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Council, which has been fraught with controversies and issues, is now expected to fulfill its fundamental role of checking and monitoring through cooperation among council members.

This follows the unanimous election of Jeon Seung-il as the chairman of the 9th Seo-gu Council's second half, with all 13 members agreeing for the first time in 10 years.

The Seo-gu Council, which was not dominated solely by the Democratic Party of Korea, had always been noisy due to invisible power struggles among council members.

Jeon Seung-il, Chairman of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council, is explaining his beliefs, political philosophy, and the role of local councils.

We listened to the voice of Chairman Jeon Seung-il, who will lead the second half of the 9th Seo-gu Council.

He described the local council as a representative body for residents, pursuing politics solely for the citizens and their livelihoods.

He plans to prioritize communication and cooperation as the core values of legislative activities and to conduct field-centered legislative work to listen to the lives and difficulties of residents at the closest point to them.

To this end, the Seo-gu Council has established a policy to listen to residents' opinions 24 hours a day through various online channels such as the Seo-gu Council website, and to open an offline civil complaint communication window within the council secretariat to hear residents' voices.

Chairman Jeon also expressed his ambition to engage in field-centered legislative activities by going directly to the field instead of the office during his two-year term, walking through every alley and corner to listen to residents' voices.

Regarding the relationship between the council and the executive branch, he said, "Healthy checks and criticisms of the executive branch are the fundamental duties of the local council, and constructive conflicts of opinion are an inevitable process for the development of local autonomy."

He added, "We will frequently create opportunities for consultation for mutual development and resolve administrative and legislative matters amicably with respect for each other," and stated, "I will exercise flexible leadership to serve as a bridge connecting the council, the executive branch, and the residents, while striving to properly guide district administration through coexistence and checks and balances."

The biggest local issues identified by Chairman Jeon are support for small business owners, revitalization of the market economy, and job creation?essentially the recovery of the livelihood economy.

The Seo-gu Council is determined to serve as the last pillar of the livelihood economy by mobilizing all authority and capabilities to carefully monitor residents' lives and restore the livelihood economy. They plan to prepare support measures and systems that various lower-income groups can tangibly feel and strongly demand proactive measures from the government and local governments to restore the lower-income economy, taking the lead in establishing a stable livelihood economy.

To accomplish these tasks, the council secretariat's organization will also be operated more systematically.

To support sound and creative legislative activities, they plan to strengthen the organizational capacity of the council secretariat through personnel exchanges of capable and innovative staff. They have set plans to actively promote various policy forums, council member research group activities, and capacity building for council members and staff.

Externally, they are also considering establishing a civil complaint communication team within the council secretariat to expand communication with residents and actively resolve local issues.

The Seo-gu Council will actively propose policies and alternatives on urgent livelihood issues directly related to residents and, for the first time in Seo-gu Council history, will broadcast plenary and standing committee meetings live on the internet to fulfill residents' right to know and expand opportunities for legislative participation.

Chairman Jeon emphasized, "Our Seo-gu Council will improve systems and regulations that unjustly restrict rights or impose obligations to enhance residents' welfare," and added, "We will work closely with the executive branch to create a better and kinder Seo-gu and revitalize the local economy facing difficulties."

He continued, "As chairman, I will do my best to realize grassroots living politics as a representative of the residents through change and innovation with the united will of all Seo-gu council members," and requested, "I ask for the generous support and encouragement of local residents so that the Seo-gu Council and the executive branch can achieve great results for district development by providing hope and joy to the residents based on mutual understanding and cooperation."

Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho yjm3070@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.